Birchwood Kitchen
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2211 W North Ave
Chicago, IL 60647 b/t Leavitt St & Bell Ave
West Town, Wicker Park - Get Directions
- Phone number (773) 276-2100
- Message the business
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Business website birchwoodkitchen.com
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“I crave savory, and have been pleased by the croque madame and the breakfast sandwich.” in 61 reviews
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“We also got coffee, of course, and an oatmeal butterscotch cookie to fill in the crannies.” in 21 reviews
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“We had their warm goat cheese as a starter, and then had smoked pork and brie and jam.” in 64 reviews
Recommended Reviews
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- Alyssa C.
- Chicago, IL
- 55 friends
- 9 reviews
6/20/2015
Was en-route to another breakfast/brunch spot and passed by Birchwood Kitchen and decided to try them instead.
We waited probably about 10 minutes to be seated which wasn't bad at all. There was self-serve complimentary coffee and water outside. After waiting, we were seated outside on the patio which was really cute! It happened to be a beautiful day out so it felt nice to sit outside.
The service was really good and the food was amazing! I had the scramble, my boyfriend had the croque madam and then we split a half order of the ricotta fritter cakes. Perfect mix of sweet and savory!
Try this place out-you will not be disappointed! =) -
7/21/2015
1 check-inCute and delicious!
lowdown:
- Sunday at 11:45am for 4 people - waited approximately 30 minutes. At least they provide water while you wait
- very cute outdoor garden area. Felt peaceful and intimate.
- croque madam - a little different from how I"ve had it before. It felt like a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with 2 eggs on top. I'm used to the sandwich being additionally battered up and friend. Less guilty but if I'm ordering croque madam I'm asking for the whole 9 greasy yards
- GLBT - open faced smoked salmon sandwich. delicious! It tasted really fresh, simple, and sophisticated
- ricotta pancakes - ooo yeah my favorite dish. They were somehow smooth and creamy but a tiny bit fluffy so it never seemed to doughy/cakey or rich/heavy. I would order again!
Our waiter was also great. My friend ordered the white bean and potato salad and mentioned to him that she thought there would be more potato. He offered to take it off the bill but after she declined (she was just being honest!) he came out with a bowl full of potatoes. Now that's how you earn tip, ladies and gent! -
- Vanessa Y.
- Chicago, IL
- 102 friends
- 51 reviews
6/30/2015
Clean, lovely, fresh food.
Had the market scramble with a side of bacon, which was awesome! Goat cheese is my bff. Everything here looks lovingly prepared and is (mostly) light, not grease-soaked and overly processed, like a lot of traditional American breakfasts.
Only negative ding for Birchwood is that their service is crawling. Put more servers on the floor, please! -
- Tim F.
- Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
- 7 friends
- 3 reviews
6/21/2015
Worst service I have ever received in my life.
Let me preface this review by saying Birchwood is usually an awesome spot, with really great food and service. Well, not this time. We just went to brunch and were seated within 15 minutes, not too bad. My fiancé ordered a chai latte and i ordered a coffee to start things off. Her chai came about 15 minutes later, and my coffee about 30 minutes after I ordered (which by the way was only because i called the waitress over to ask about it, she would have never brought it otherwise). I was then brought the quiche that I ordered, which was at least half the size of the quiche on the table next to me. When I questioned the portion, she gave me an attitude telling me that "thats what a quiche is, its a slice of the pie." I believe they were running low and really scrimped on the portions, but I should not be paying for a full portion then. Our waitress also never once checked on us. That coffee that took 30 minutes to receive? It was never refilled. Not even questioned. And we had waited about 15 minutes in between our plates clearing and receiving the check. Well, we again had to grab her attention, she was just walking by us completely ignoring our table. Maybe she was too busy washing off the kid's booster seat of the table down from us to handle our check. Yes, she washed off the booster seat in the back kitchen and brought it back out to give back to the parents. But asking for our money by handing us a check? Not important in the least.
All in all, hands down the worst service I have ever experienced. It is a shame because I usually enjoy this place. I forget the servers name, but I would recommend bolting from this place if she comes to greet you. -
8/3/2015
We are not from the Chicago area so we stopped by on our way to Lollapalooza and just had a great experience! The hostess was outside and took down names and offered some free coffee and water outside! The wait was only ~15 min for 3 on Saturday at around 10:30am. When we were waiting, we noticed the sign outside that said they were BYOB and saw that there was a liquor store down the block. So we picked up a small bottle of vodka and ordered the beet based bloody mary which was really interesting and delicious! Honestly there's too much in that bottle for me, so I should've shared one. The food and the service was great. I loved the ambiance, seating area (indoor and out) and the open kitchen. One downfall was that they missed my utensils and forgot a coffee that we ordered but it was no big deal and he was so friendly and cool that I didn't even feel frustrated or disappointed. It was not difficult finding street parking in that area too!
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Bring in a little bottle of vodka and get the beet based bloody mary mix!Bring in a little bottle of vodka and get the beet based bloody mary mix! - See all photos from Jenn S. for Birchwood Kitchen
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3/16/2015
I love Birchwood Kitchen so so so much!!!
I've gone for brunch twice and lunch once. Both times were absolutely amazing and always wonderful. I've had the pot roast sandwich, french toast, shrimp and grits, ricotta pancakes, and corned beef hash throughout my three visits.
The ricotta pancakes were seriously the best pancakes that I've ever had in my entire life. I wanted so much more!!! The corned beef hash was a special for St Patty's Day Weekend and it was phenomenal.
Honestly, everything that I've had here has just been wonderful. I always leave the place wanting more!!!
They used to do a thing where you ordered at the counter and they brought the food out to you but now they just do regular service. I really don't care which way they do it.
Be prepared to wait! I came with my mom promptly at 9AM so we were able to snag a seat but within minutes the place had filled up!-
Ricotta pancakes, corned beef hash, and a side of bacon!!! YUM!Ricotta pancakes, corned beef hash, and a side of bacon!!! YUM!
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- Tingting W.
- Los Angeles, CA
- 126 friends
- 18 reviews
6/1/2015
1 check-inLove the decor and ambience here! The paintings on the wall made it colorful and trendy. Perfect for a nice brunch date :)
We came around 3pm on a Sunday, and there was about a half hour wait. The hostess and waitress were friendly and attentive. Unfortunately, they had run out of the top three items on the brunch menu by then but we did come in late considering they were closing at 4pm. If I get a chance to come again, I would love to try the braised artichokes with italian sausage & and the shrimp and grits.
What we ordered:
- croque madame: this seems to be what everyone came here for so we had to try. It was flavorful and good, but the mustard seeds were a little overwhelming for me so it wasn't my favorite. The spinach vinaigrette salad that comes with it is fresh and a good pairing though.
- breakfast sandwich with bacon: this was more of a burger sandwich, and the bread was soft albeit a bit greasy. Overall, full of protein and a good choice for someone with a hearty appetite. This comes with the spinach vinaigrette salad as well.
- soup of the day (garlicky potato): TBH, I was excited to try their tomato soup but unfortunately that wasn't a choice that day. The garlicky potato soup was okay, but just didn't have all the flavor I was looking for in a soup.
I would love to come back and try their dinner items or even some of the sweet brunch items (since we only ordered off the savory category). It seems like a busy place especially during prime brunch/lunch time so expect a wait, but it's worth a try!-
Garlicky potato soup, Croque Madame, and breakfast sandwich with baconGarlicky potato soup, Croque Madame, and breakfast sandwich with bacon
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- Chuck B.
- Campbell, CA
- 88 friends
- 58 reviews
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- Dana B.
- Chicago, IL
- 5 friends
- 6 reviews
8/4/2015
This cute restaurant was so well done. The menu was well done and it had very clean, healthy options. My husband got the scramble and he absolutely loved it. It was fresh, and just the right amount of food. I got the waffle and sausage paddy. It was the best waffle I have ever had. It seemed as though they got the waffle mix from a mill of some sort. It didn't have the thick dough like taste it had more of a grain taste which was very unique and delicious. I would definitely recommend trying this spot.
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7/17/2015
Listed in sunday mornings in chiI feel like Birchwood Kitchen brunch was a little overhyped, to be honest. The atmosphere is a small, quaint, cute shop, and reminiscent of brunch places in LA. The Croque Madame is what I wanted when I ordered it, but nothing that blew my mind out of the water. The options were solid, but I felt that an oomph was missing to give it 4 or 5 stars.
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7/18/2015
1 check-inGreat place for brunch and dinner. Anything with gravlax there is legit. Awesome pastries. Their soups are always on point. Whoever creates their menus knows how to balance out flavors and textures really well. Never overly salty. Their dishes let the ingredients speak for themselves. Would not recommend taking large groups here though.
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- Philip D.
- Milwaukee, WI
- 0 friends
- 5 reviews
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- Matthew M.
- Syracuse, NY
- 19 friends
- 36 reviews
- Elite ’15
5/12/2015
1 check-inYum. Seriously. This is a great little gem in the city of Chicago. I definitely enjoyed my breakfast at this hip gastro pub style resturant. In addition to great food and drinks they have a very friendly staff. A worth while visit.... and yes order a cookie at the end of your meal.
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- Mia O.
- Flushing, NY
- 2 friends
- 17 reviews
8/8/2015
Visiting from NYC, I looked up best places to eat near Wicker Park and this place showed up first. We were greeted with a friendly girl outside and was offered water and coffee while we waited for our name to be called. We waited about 25-30 minutes outside before going in. I liked the simple/modern decor and the good service. My friend had the Croquet Madame and I had the Basque Stew or something like that... it was really good and worth the wait. I don't live in Chicago so I won't be able to come any time soon... probably not until next year! :(
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- Jacqueline B.
- Aurora, IL
- 1252 friends
- 238 reviews
- Elite ’15
11/19/2014
1 check-inListed in My Lunch Box, -- City Adventures --, Morning MunchiesThis is one of the hippest sandwich shops I've ever been to. Well done, Birchwood *fist bump*
I stopped in for lunch with a co-worker and had such a hard time deciding what to order! Everything sounded so awesome (and it probably is, which is why I'll be back). Their sandwiches are super creative and take the concept to a whole new level. These are basically fancy sandwiches.
The sandwich I ordered isn't on their online menu (but it was on the menu in the restaurant). It entailed ham, brie, pears, and a cranberry jam on whole grain bread if I remember correctly. The combo was intriguing, and I'm glad I got it because the combo of flavors were on point. A fresh side salad accompanied this delectable meal on bread.
Pro tip: They do not have any sort of fountain drinks. Everything is bottled. I highly suggest their natural cola though! -
- David B.
- San Francisco, CA
- 52 friends
- 202 reviews
1/27/2015
It takes a lot for a sandwich place to earn a fourth star from me, but Birchwood had it from the first bite. On my first visit, I did the soup and half-sandwich. The soup - black bean - was some of the best black bean soup I'd ever had. Then the Spanish tuna sandwich (which is made mayo-less) was full of flavor and different textures. Great tuna, great toppings, great bread. And the generous portion of side salad was appreciated too!
I returned a few weeks later and got the broccoli sandwich. Who are you trying to fool here? This was a grilled cheese with broccoli, and it was awesome. Yum yum yum. It's too bad I don't live in the neighborhood anymore, because I'd be there all the time. -
12/16/2014
2 check-insOrdered a quick coffee and brioche to stay on a Tuesday morning. Coffee was excellent but seemed a bit pricey for a drip coffee. Although I was able to take a cup to go so that was nice. Brioche was superb but I needed more bread to eat with the cheese so I used my spoon to eat the rest. It was creamy and balanced well with the sweet jam.
The place was cute and quiet. The service was excellent. I'd love to stop by again for brunch! -
11/6/2014
1 check-inCharming!
Delightful eats!
Delightful atmosphere!
My lamb and carrot caponata sandwich was fantastic, and dear god, what are you dressing those greens with, Birchwood? It's intoxicating, that vinaigrette.
Bonus points for salting and peppering those same beautifully-dressed greens, too... it's the little things. -
- Rebekah R.
- Chicago, IL
- 1 friend
- 12 reviews
8/7/2015
An overlooked gem. Extremely casual yet super-nice place with superb simple, fresh, ingredient-centered food. BYOB.
Their back patio is enchanting. It's just a normal back yard, but they have just perfectly outfitted it as a discreet and comfortable dining space. Service is friendly and they actually know their customers.
The food is, simply, perfectly executed. A kind of combination between comfort food (and Southern-oriented regional American cuisine) with farm-to-table, ingredient-centric cooking, with vegetables taking the center stage as often as meat.
Lightly grilled peaches with corn, green beans, mozzarella and bacon was the perfect back yard summer dish. Crab cakes, sumptuously creamy and mild and lying atop spicy jicama salad, were excellent. A chicken dinner was if anything oversized, two expertly cut portions of chicken with a deliciously tender blackened skin. Served with fantastic roasted carrots, chard, and inventive potato dumplings. Everything else on the menu looked amazing. No dishes exceeded $12.
They're known for their brunch/lunch, but they should be more popular for dinner! -
6/29/2015
Went here for lunch on Friday and didn't have to wait for a table. I got the breakfast sandwich with bacon and it was fabulous. The spread on it (I think pimento cheese) really made it stand out. My friend had the vegetarian sandwich and thought it was mediocre. The atmosphere is really nice. The outside seating looks great! Wish we would've sat out there!
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4/14/2015
1 check-inWas here for brunch on a Saturday and the place was packed. I had a party of 3 and luckily we only had to wait 20 minutes. Birchwood Kitchen is BYOB, so we headed down to a local store to grab some drinks for brunch. When we got seated, I quickly glanced over the menu and decided to get the croque madame. This was one of the better croque madames I've had - the eggs were cooked perfectly, the bread was still crunchy, and the cheese was perfectly gooey (pro tip from my friend: if you're going to use your hands to eat it, take the egg off the top and put it inside the sandwich). This may be the fat kid in me speaking, but I just wish that there was more ham! We also had the pickled plate, which was a variety of pickled veggies (see pics). All in all, a pretty solid place for brunch
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- Melissa A.
- Chicago, IL
- 128 friends
- 267 reviews
- Elite ’15
10/20/2014
1 check-inI met up with some friends for a late lunch at Birchwood and was definitely impressed with the food and service. I don't believe the wait was too long but I arrived later than my other friends so I'm not sure how long they had to wait for a table (suckers! just kidding).
I ordered the croque vert which basically is a grilled cheese sandwich with gruyere cheese and veggies topped with over easy eggs and a side of tossed greens. If you love cheese like I do, you'll definitely be a fan of this dish. The runniness of the eggs added a nice texture to the crunchy, grilled sandwich and the slight tang of the greens complimented the sandwich well. I am a huge carnivore and it is so rare for me to order a meatless dish. Let me tell you, this croque vert was so yummy I didn't even mind that it was a vegetarian dish! I also had a soy latte and it was pretty good. I believe they use Metropolis beans and they also offer free coffee outside for those waiting for a table. Pretty neat if I say so myself!
Our server was funny, helpful, and incredibly sweet. We have one friend who is a picky eater and he was being a bit of a diva that day. He didn't like any of the choices and asked if he could make up his own dish since he only liked bits and pieces of each option. Thank goodness our server and Birchwood were so accommodating and they brought him what he wanted...which happened to be toast, their in-house smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, and a side of fruit. Of all things, this is what you order?! If you're going to be difficult, at least be a little more creative than that, right?? haha
Anywho, I thought our server was going to kill us when we asked for separate checks at the end of our meal. Yikes! Next time we'll make sure to leave him behind so he doesn't cramp our style! All in all, I had a great time. Birchwood has great food, service, and a nice laid back atmosphere. -
- Greg G.
- Skokie, IL
- 6 friends
- 16 reviews
5/31/2015
Damn. Just one of the best brunch places I've been to, like, ever! Sweet location, hip space inside, great service, with great tasting perfect portioned food at a usual, and very fair price. I was extremely satisfied with the two plates I tried... The breakfast sandwich and the croque vert. Both AMAZING. Everything that could have gone right at Birchwood did. Can't wait to go back and explore more of the menu (and the desserts).
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Breakfast sandwich!!! VERY GOOD. Add bacon and avocado to it to make it one of the best breakfasts you've had in a while.Breakfast sandwich!!! VERY GOOD. Add bacon and avocado to it to make it one of the best breakfasts you've had in a while.
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- Serim P.
- Pittsburgh, PA
- 10 friends
- 2 reviews
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- Lillie W.
- Brooklyn, NY
- 1 friend
- 25 reviews
6/6/2015
We sat, we waited for an hour and our food never showed up, so we left. It was a bummer because everything looked delicious.
Our server was really apologetic, but it was frustrating that she kept insisting the delay was because the kitchen was slammed, when people around us who were seated after us got their meals right away. -
- Stephanie L.
- San Francisco, CA
- 314 friends
- 349 reviews
- Elite ’15
10/1/2014
1 check-inListed in CHI City ShenanigansThis place was buzzing on yelp with 4.5 stars and 700+ reviews so we designated our last day in Chicago to have brunch here. Luckily, they just finished renovating and reopened. Everything was just so perfectly planned out!
I already knew what I wanted after seeing the pictures and reading the reviews. The shrimp and grits looked amazing. However, their menu changed! The shrimp and grits was no longer offered! :(. Such sadness. None of their specials that day seemed appealing to me either. So I went with the croque madame. My friend ordered the croque vert (veggies with corn and brussel sprouts). We wanted to get the sourdough waffles with fresh fruit, but they ran out. It looked amazing when we saw them bringing it out. We were just one order too late!
Both the croque madame and vert were pretty good. Both were very cheesy, a bit more to my liking. But the sunny side eggs were cooked perfectly and the bread was toasted just right! The only thing they could have improved on was maybe add a bit more ham in the croque madame to go with all that cheese.
We ordered a side of hashbrowns. Don't get it. It was way too greasy with no flavor and the portion was quite small for $2.50.
But their lemonade was delicious! It was infused with basil and lavender yummm! The lavender was just enough to give it a bit of a light floral taste.
Prices were very reasonable. Just a little under $10 for each dish.
We were seated out in their patio. We were very fortunate with ideal weather (sunny but not too hot and no wind)! But they have a good amount of seating indoors and out.
Service was great. Our server and host were very friendly.
I do recommend coming a bit earlier, which means the wait might be a bit longer. But since we came near the end of the morning rush (1 pm), foods run out such as their banana bread and their sourdough waffles. Poo.
Overall, decent brunch. A-OK = 3 stars. I wouldn't mind coming back if I can try those waffles or grits! -
- Jennylyn U.
- San Francisco, CA
- 34 friends
- 27 reviews
5/2/2015
1 check-inJust got into Chicago last night, woke up, and this was the first place I saw. I was NOT disappointed!
While you wait to be called, they offer you brownies and coffee!
Except maybe she just forgot... But the hostess did not offer me brownies, although there was a bowl full of them in between us (on the podium) when I gave her my name. She did offer brownies to the party right before me, and the party right after me.
I grabbed one when she went inside to check for available tables! Mainly because I didn't want to ask if I could have one because she offered everyone else one. Anyway, I thought it was weird. I'm pretty sure it wasn't discrimination, but other people might take it that way.
On to the food... DELICIOUS!
We got the avocado toast and he sourdough waffle. Tip: Avocado toast is not enough for a meal. We had to order some sides.
It was all very good, and I recommend it! I finished every last bite! -
3/8/2015
Very friendly cashiers and service! The croque madame is consistently good with perfectly cooked eggs on top of crunchy sourdough, but I wish there was more of the thinly sliced ham. I tried a piece of the croque vert once, and think it's just as good as the classic croque madame - roasted veggies and Gruyere is a great combination.
Tried two remedies for the relative lack of ham in the sandwich: pork sausage which was juicy and delicious, and bacon, which was limp and covered in grease. In the end, their portions are generous enough that I wouldn't bother with the sides again. Overall, Birchwood is A-OK brunch for sure. -
- Neil C.
- Chicago, IL
- 143 friends
- 48 reviews
5/19/2015
The french toast here was fairly decent.
The bacon was some of the best I've had at any restaurant.
The service was pretty awful unfortunately.
The waitress forgot 2 of the items I ordered and when I asked about them, she apologized profusely and said she'll get my toast and soup right away. 20 minutes later, after everyone had finished eating, she brings my toast and soup as we were asking for the check. The toast was cold, the soup was dripping all over the table and spilled onto the lap of the person next to me.
Bottom line - for the leisurely diner who appreciates good bacon and doesn't mind their pants smelling like baked potatoes all day, I would recommend this place. -
- Jessalyn B.
- Chicago, IL
- 2 friends
- 14 reviews
8/4/2015
Delicious food, especially brunch. No alcohol, but you can BYOB. Favorite things I've had there: avocado toast and strawberry rhubarb scones. The wait can be a bit long on the weekends, so get there early. Our waiter was really fun and quirky and was the one to practically insist on the avo toast, and he was my hero once I took a bite.
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- Yogesh K.
- Uptown, Chicago, IL
- 4 friends
- 2 reviews
7/28/2015
Nice little place. My wife and I went here on a weekday 10am. Nice atmosphere, they had available outside seating we opted for indoor. Food was good, loved the greens, I do wish they had more options for coffee i.e local coffee or organic, the waitress mentioned regular and decaf. The food was not salty, made fresh. I had the Croque vert, portion size was perfect. My wife ordered the Gravlax BLT with a latte which was nice and foamy, she liked it. We were able to get street parking during this time without any hassles. Will go there again to try the lunch options which serves from 11am.
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- Olivia C.
- Chicago, IL
- 15 friends
- 10 reviews
6/28/2015
This place is off the chain. Everyone is beyond nice. From the free coffee while waiting to the endearingly kooky servers, I'm into it. I had the avocado toast and a side of fruit and it was unique - almost Thai flavors. My mom had the quiche and it was great. Prices are on point. Can't wait to go back with a bottle in tow (BYOB!!!)
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- Yanina R.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 1 review
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5/20/2015
I was pretty excited to eat breakfast here. The pictures of food looked awesome, the restaurant looked really nice and it was a short walk from where I was staying. Upon arrival the hostess, who was very friendly, just seemed flustered and overwhelmed. You could see they had everything outside to self serve coffee to people waiting for tables, everything but the coffee? They'd been open for 30 minutes already. We waited about 10 minutes and got a table in the back yard. It was nice, I really enjoyed being outside on a nice day. Our table was very wobbly, not a big deal, I put my folded up napkin under it. About this time when the inconsistent service began. First, we got served out coffee, finally. It was brought over and we were told milk, sugar etc was on its way. After waiting 5 minutes I had to ask for it, twice. When the sugar/milk came we noticed no stirrers or spoons. So, I stirred with my knife. A few minutes later stirrers showed up, literally minutes. My wife said someone probably heard me say "c'mon, where are the stirrers?". We ordered, I got the breakfast sandwich with a side of potatoes. We had a shared table appetizer of the avocado and toast. It was good. There were three of us, two of the plates came out. Trying to be polite we waited for the third. Again, about five minutes. Once it arrived we began eating. I noticed my potatoes were a little under seasoned. Eventually our waiter (who also was very nice) asked if we wanted salt, pepper, hot sauce. I said yes, it all came out pretty quickly. My breakfast sandwich , with bacon, was tasty. I didn't let the hair on the bacon ruin my meal. It happens, it's not the end of the world. Everyone else enjoyed their meals very much. Maybe it was an off day. The hostess said they were on a re run of "Check Please" the night before and the morning was very busy. Would I eat there again? Maybe, but there are a lot more really good places to try first before going back. With great service this was 4 stars all day, but with mediocre service (with a smile), it's three.
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2/2/2015 Updated review
Birchwood switched to table service a few months back and in turn, overhauled their menu a bit. While I can't complain about any restaurant's desire to serve only items that are homemade, I'd be remiss to point out that they no longer have potato chips, their delicious brownies or bottled cola. I'm hoping these are only temporary issues as the pot roast sandwich remains the bubonic chronic*.
*Dr. Dre referenceFavorite sandwich place in the city. Super friendly staff. Everything is fresh. The tomato jam on… Favorite sandwich place in the city. Super friendly staff. Everything is fresh. The tomato jam on the club sandwich is a revelation. BYOB. Can't recommend enough. Also, the owner, Judd, likes Tribe Called Quest. Read more7/28/2014 Previous review
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1/11/2015 Updated review
Listed in BreakfastI am disappointed with all the changes. The charm of this place before with order at the counter service then sit down was so much better. They probably switched from that to the new full service model to get the ignoramuses who previously camped out with their large parties out of here- in that regard there was a problem, but I'm not a fan of the menu changes. The food tastes different and the same quality and attention to detail that was there seems to be missing.
My winter vegetable scramble w/goat cheese today was so generic, with sparse vegetables and a minuscule amount of goat cheese- just very boring. The hash browns aren't really hash browns, more home fries- thinly sliced potatoes slightly sautéed with copious amounts of oil. Needed to douse them in hot sauce for some flavor and at $2.50 for the serving it's ridiculous.
They have put themselves in line with all of the other brunch places in Chicago now and really lost that uniqueness that I loved. My husband and I have visited countless times in the 5 years we've lived in Chicago and I just wish it would go back to the way it was.I can't tell you how many times I've eaten here...way toooooooo many, but I've NEVER had a bad meal!… I can't tell you how many times I've eaten here...way toooooooo many, but I've NEVER had a bad meal! Still one of my favorite, and best restaurants in Chicago....2/10/2014 Previous review
New items I've tried that kind of blew my mind include:
-Gooeybutter Cake: Good Lord this is heaven in my mouth. Almondy, lemony, raspberry-y, and buttery....it's amazing.
-Pickle Plate: Except there weren't any pickles on it! It was a hodge-podge of pickled items like brussels sprouts, cauliflower, onion, beets, and even raisins! This is a must try.
Next on my list is the grilled goat cheese sandwich.... Read moreI have been coming here pretty regularly since I moved to Chicago around a year ago. I am amazed at… I have been coming here pretty regularly since I moved to Chicago around a year ago. I am amazed at the consistent quality of the food and the cheerful, wonderful people who run this restaurant. Between my husband and I, we have had most menu items. I cannot just pick one thing as my favorite, everything here is SO good. The food is all organic and so simply fresh, it really puts other restaurants to shame. Here is my list (in no particular order) as to why I so LOVE the Birchwood:9/8/2011 Previous review
-Unlimited Metropolis coffee
-Warm, friendly, genuine staff
-Fresh, organic ingredients
-Fantastic salads and sandwiches
-Delicious cookies and lemon bars
-Awesome, non-greasy burgers!
-Seasonal menu according to freshness and available ingredients
-Owner is from Nebraska (so am I! Go Big Red!)
-Gorgeous interior
-No rush (they don't try to hurry you out the door, you can actually leisurely enjoy your meal, unlike some other places off Division I have been to...)
-Lovely outdoor space Read more -
- Vanessa H.
- Chicago, IL
- 9 friends
- 27 reviews
6/7/2015
1 check-inIf you come during a rush hour (11 am on a Sunday) be prepared to WAIT. My husband, daughter and I waited over an hour to be seated. I was annoyed they sat larger parties who arrived after us, before us. Maybe they called in, who knows? I will say though, they were very nice to us about the long wait. We got complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, and banana bread for the wait. Thankfully, my daughter is used to going to hipster places, so she was well behaved with the help of technology ;-) It was slightly cold for May, so the outdoor seating was closed, which could explain the EXTREMLY LONG wait time.
Customer beware, they have seasonal menus. So while looking at Yelp photos is nice, almost none of what was pictured was on the current menu. The hubby and I both settled on the breakfast sandwich, and ordered a waffle for my daughter. Too big for her, but there weren't any pancakes on the kids meal, and the kids menu was very limited. Our breakfast sandwiches were great! Soft bread that crumbled, I had bacon too, and it was toasty but not like break my teeth hard.-
Waffle for the toddler! (Fruit on the side because she doesn't like soggy waffles!)Waffle for the toddler! (Fruit on the side because she doesn't like soggy waffles!) -
Breakfast sandwich. Highly recommended if still on menu!Breakfast sandwich. Highly recommended if still on menu!
-
- Kristin M.
- Chicago, IL
- 54 friends
- 339 reviews
- Elite ’15
1/22/2015
Yum! Came here for a chef's tasting menu night. The space is small but very warm and cozy. Service was friendly and attentive, a very enjoyable experience!
Being a chef's tasting, selections were made for us and served family style. This is hearty comfort food, if you're looking for tiny portions plated in innovative ways, go elsewhere. If you're looking for unpretentious, great flavors, dig in! Here's what we had in order of yumminess:
Hors: (hehe)
-deviled egg with smoked salmon - so smokey, I thought there was bacon on it! Delicious!
-homemade pickles - these have a kick to them, I think there is a little curry in the pickle juice. Yum!
-root vegetable pancakes - tiny little latkes with ginge and yogurt on top, it was a nice bite
Mains:
-roasted mushrooms - I know, it's weird to put a side above the main, but these were so damn tasty (must be the sherry butter)
-sherry (more!) marinated chicken thighs - normally I dislike thighs, you have to see/touch the bone and that just grosses me out. These had great flavor and melted off the bone, so I thoroughly enjoyed them. The spaetzle was a fun addition, too
-swiss chard gratin - cheesy goodness
Dessert:
-salted butter cookie - the surprising favorite of the table! I mean, who likes cookies over chocolate and pastries?? But no, it was THAT good!
-brownie - moist and walnuty, very tasty
-lemon bar - I didn't try this, but my friends enjoyed..though not as much as the above two
Nice work, Birchwood! -
7/1/2014
2 check-insUnlike almost every other highly rated brunch spot, this one had no wait! That is virtually unheard of so I was pleasantly surprised, especially since we were, as my sister would put it, "HON-gray!!"
There is indoor seating and outdoor seating at a patio out back. The diner has a very Bucktown feel.
No table service aside from them bringing your order to your table. You order at the register and grab your own drinks.
I ordered the croque Madame. It was tasty and the bread was done so that it was just the perfect amount of chewy.
The quiche is a bit on the small side, like a small slice of pie. It was delicious though.
I'll be back without a doubt to try some of the other items. -
5/6/2015
1 check-inIts a good sandwich place. Its very bucktown.... Which I knew coming in so can't take a star off. Crazy local coffee and pop and very fancy sandwiches. Expensive for what you get (again no taking stars off for what I already knew) but overall 4 stars but not my type of sandwich places
Hours
| Mon | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue | 9:00 am - 9:00 pm | |
| Wed | 9:00 am - 9:00 pm | |
| Thu | 9:00 am - 9:00 pm | Open now |
| Fri | 9:00 am - 9:00 pm | |
| Sat | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | |
| Sun | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
Menu
- Goat Cheese
- 9.00
- Salmon
- 8.00
- Pot Roast
- 11.00
More business info
-
- Takes Reservations
- No
- Delivery
- No
- Take-out
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Yes
- Accepts Bitcoin
- No
- Good For
- Lunch
- Parking
- Street
- Bike Parking
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible
- No
- Good for Kids
- Yes
- Good for Groups
- Yes
- Attire
- Casual
- Ambience
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Average
- Alcohol
- No
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Has TV
- No
- Dogs Allowed
- No
- Waiter Service
- Yes
- Caters
- Yes
From the business
Brunch Sandwiches BYOB
Learn more about Birchwood Kitchen , Opens a popupSpecialties
Brunch
Sandwiches
BYOB
History
Established in 2009.
Birchwood Kitchen opened in April of 2009 with the goal of combining warm service with thoughtful and delicious food. Originally set up as a counter service restaurant, Birchwood transitioned to table service in September of 2014.
Meet the Manager
Laine Peterson has been managing the Birchwood floor for the past four years. Her charm, patience and humor during busy brunch hours has made her an integral part of Birchwood and the surrounding community.
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